So, you’re at that point in the semester where you’re beginning to realize that your dorm room just isn’t going to cut it when it comes to studying and completing your ever-expanding list of assignments. You wouldn’t be the first person to have trouble focusing in the space where you and your roommate live, and you wouldn’t be the first person to try to find a spot on campus that’s right for both your academic obligations and relaxing in between things to do. And while not necessarily any of the seven wonders of the world, the buildings on campus, such as the Earl Gregg Swem Library and workspaces in academic halls, tend to be what a lot of students gravitate towards.
But what if those too start to become dull? Well then, dear reader, you can simply do what the photographers at the College of William and Mary’s marketing department looking for new pictures to populate the College’s website hope you do: work outside. Coupled with the great weather at this time of the year (at the time of writing this article; I can’t guarantee anything if you’re reading this three months from now), this strategy is a great way to complete your homework while getting some Vitamin D. And this senior, who has been using this approach for at least a few years now, will be the first to tell you that there are pros and cons to several different spots.
The first idea that may jump to mind is the Sunken Garden, with the green and brown adirondack chairs around its edges. In short, this is far from a bad place to start. Because of the large size of the field, there are both areas with a lot of shade and areas with a lot of sun, meaning you can pick how much heat you want to feel while typing on your computer or reading a textbook. You can even switch on the fly if you want to spice things up at the moment, and you only have to walk a couple dozen feet. Another benefit, and one of the most important ones, is that the WiFi on the Sunken Garden is usually pretty good because of all of the academic halls in the area. But although I may be making it seem like a substitute for a vacation to Aruba, another fact to consider is that, especially at this time of year, you are probably going to be far from the only person there. Now, if you can handle the sounds of hundreds of students shuffling to and from class and what will sound like the most intense Spikeball games of your life, the idyllic Sunken Garden may be perfect for you. But if you prefer a more tranquil setting to unwind and grind out some more serious assignments, another option may be better suited for you.
The next place to take a look at would be the Sadler Terrace, less than a two minute walk from our previous location. Many of the tables on the Terrace also have umbrellas that come with them, providing what can often be some much needed shade. To add to this, one of the main pros of the Terrace is its incredible proximity to the food options that the Sadler Center has to offer. Whether you are craving a full lunch or just a quick snack from Student Exchange, sometimes sating your hunger pangs can be just what you need to power through the last bit of that assignment. Although, keep in mind that this benefit will likely be significantly less useful if you don’t have a meal plan. The biggest downside, though, just like with the Sunken Garden, is the massive amount of people that will be there as well. If you don’t mind working in a crowded space, this point can be disregarded, but, speaking from personal experience, you will probably run into half the school before you can determine whether you want “the” or “a” to be the first word in your essay.
Another great spot to consider, and, spoiler alert, one that is usually far less crowded, is the tables found on the grassy area in between Swem Library and Andrews Hall, near the sundial. Not only will you have this aforementioned relative privacy, but you will also be surrounded by a good deal of trees, for both shade and aesthetics. On top of this, you will also be right by the front entrance to Swem, should you need to stop in there for any reason. The main con of this spot, however, is that there simply aren’t too many spots to grab because of the limited number of tables in the area. While you could sit or lie down on the grass, the maze of walkways from multiple directions will make it pretty awkward to do so. This can be a great study spot, but if just a few other people had the same idea, you’ll probably be forced to do a walk of shame to another place mentioned in this article.
Lastly, if none of these options strike you as particularly appealing, there is always the usually quiet spot behind the Raymond A. Mason School of Business for you to go to. Here, you will be able to find a grassy field with chairs and benches immediately behind the building, and beyond that, you can go to other spots right by the water of Lake Matoaka. This is the most secluded of the mentioned locations if you really need to lock in, and you will either have a view of finance-major-alumni-funded flower beds or the (sometimes) pristine water of the College’s iconic lake to go with it. The main knock against it, though, is it can be a little out of the way, especially if you aren’t a business major.
Regardless of which of these locations sticks out to you, I believe that changing your study scenery to an outside location every now and then can do wonders for your productivity and help you power through tough workloads. Just remember to put on some sunscreen if you’re going to take this article to heart.